Vending machine module

ABSTRACT

A module for a vending machine wherein two columns of shelves of substantially any conventional height can be operated successively upward through one column and then the other. The shelves are tripped successively by a vertically moving cam member, and as each shelf is tripped the shelf above it is readied for tripping upon subsequent actuation of the cam member. Each shelf has a pivoted support arm which rests on a ledge on the frame. This support arm is dislodged by a follower upon movement of the reciprocating cam member having a plurality of cam surfaces. As the shelf is tripped the follower on the shelf above the tripped shelf is moved to a position for engagement by the subsequent reciprocating of the cam member. A locking bar between parallel reciprocating cam members and a sequencing drive system permits their sequential operation to trip the shelves in one column and then in the next.

United States Patent [191 Moe et a1.

[ 1 May 28, 1974 VENDING MACHINE MODULE [76] Inventors: James A. Moe, 503 Carolyn Ln.,

White Bear Lake, Minn. 55110; Thomas J. Ross, 101 I Euclid St., St. Paul, Minn. 55119 [22] Filed: July 19, 1973 21 1 Appl. No.: 380,989

[52] US. Cl 221/90, 221/110, 221/126 [51] int. Cl. G071 11/06 {58] Field of Search 221/90, 103, 110, 126

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,926,663 9/1933 Antoine 221/90 3,252,616 5/1966 De Shon 221/90 3,355,065 l/l968 Moe 221/90 3,384,266 5/1968 Schuller 221/90 3,608,776 9/1971 Moe et a1 221/90 Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Francis .1. Bartuska Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John C. Barnes [57] ABSTRACT A module for a vending machine wherein two columns of shelves of substantially any conventional height can be operated successively upward through one column and then the other. The shelves are tripped successively by a vertically moving cam member, and as each shelf is tripped the shelf above it is readied for tripping upon subsequent actuation of the cam member. Each shelf has a pivoted support arm which rests on a ledge on the frame. This support arm is dislodged by a follower upon movement of the reciprocating cam member having a plurality of cam surfaces. As the shelf is tripped the follower on the shelf above the tripped shelf is moved to a position for engagement by the subsequent reciprocating of the cam member. A locking bar between parallel reciprocating cam members and a sequencing drive system permits their sequential operation to trip the shelves in one column and then in the next.

10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAY28 191 Sam 1 m 3 3813.005

VENDING MACHINE MODULE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to an improvement in vending machines and in one aspect to an improved mechanism for successively tripping shelves in a plurality of columns with a simplified mechanism. The tripping of each shelf in a column serves to ready the next adjacent upper shelf for operation upon subsequent movement of a cam member. Release of the uppermost shelf in a column operates a locking means to release a drive for the next column such that the lowermost shelf in the next column may be the next shelf tripped.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Prior known patents are U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,355,065, 3,608,776 and 1,926,663. These patents teach the tripping of a shelf by moving the shelf or a pivoted arm from a position on a ledgepermitting the shelf to pivot from a supporting position about a hinge axis to drop an article therefrom into a vendable position or to dispense it from the machine. The device of U.S. Pat. No. l.926,663 differs from those of the other patents in that the pivoted arm is moved from under a shoulder where it is held due to the force of the product on the shelf and the bias of a spring 42. The arm is shifted however from a shelf supporting position to the tripped position by means of a movable member whose position is dependent upon the. preselected positioning of a driving member.

In the device of U.S. Pat. No. 3,355,065, a shelf supporting member 37 is moved to a tripping position by an arm 69, 71, 73, etc. driven by a precisely positioned drive mmeber 57, 59, 61, etc. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,776 the shelf supporting member 28 or 22 is moved from a support position by a movable arm 67 or 68, which arms were driven by preset drive members 63. While these devices afforded precision in operation of the vending module, and fixtures afforded the preset positioning of the driving devices, the machines were limited as to numbers of shelves per column.

In U.S. Pat. No. 1,926,663 the shelves are tripped by a pair of vertically moving rack members 44, but, for one of the racks 44 to trip a shelf a trip element 77 and slide member 75 must be precisely positioned along the rack 44 to permit a dog 81 to engage a projecting portion 37 of the latch 35 holding the shelf in place. As will be readily seen, this device has numerous parts and the successful tripping of each shelf depends on the precise positioning of a drive member.

In contrast, the vending module of the present invention is adapted such that a member which trips the shelves is repeatedly reciprocated along a predetermined path and upon each operation, a shelf is dislodged from its article supporting position to its article vending position. The release of one shelf affords the release of the next adjacent upper shelf for operation upon the subsequent movement of the cam member. Thus, the device of the present invention, utilizing a small number of different parts repeatedly, provides for the precise sequential tripping of shelves in one column and then another upon the sequential operation of an operator which will afford movement of the cam members.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a module for a vending machine having a pair of columns of any practical height with a plurality of shelves in each column spaced to afford placement on said shelf of the article to be dispensed. Each shelf is maintained in an article supporting position by a support member, which is movable with respect to a wall to be dislodged from a support surface on the wall, permitting the shelf to be tripped. The movement or tripping of the support member from 'its support surface on the wall affords the release of a follower on the next upper adjacent shelf permitting that follower to engage a cam member having a plurality of cam surfaces matching the number of shelves.

Subsequent operation of the cam member which is driven by the operation of the vending machine causes the shelf to fall. A shelf falling releases a follower such that it may engage the cam to be tripped upon the next operation of the vending machine.

The support member for the shelf can include a pivoted arm which is spring-biased toward the shelf supporting shaft to hold the shelf in an article supporting position relativeto a support surface or ledge formed by an opening in a common support wall. A follower is supported by the pivot shaft and extends in a direction toward the pivoted arm to move the arm against the bias of a spring causing the arm to move from the supporting ledge and trip the shelf. Supported also'by the arm and a support projectionis a keeper which engages the follower on the next adjacent upper shelf to hold the follower on said next upper shelf in a position such that it cannot be actuated by the reciprocating movement of a cam member which moves in the direction of the column. The keeper for each shelf is supported from the projection or arm of the lower shelf in such a manner that a next higher shelf cannot be dropped until the shelf immediately therebelow has been tripped and the operator and cam member return to their initial position.

This structure requires the repetition of a small number of common parts, and the mechanical operation of these parts assures the sequential operation of the module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational side view of a module constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed view of a series of shelves in the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the lines 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2 but having certain parts removed to show the parts to the rear of other parts in detail;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a shelf constructed ac cording to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a shelf of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the operating mechanism for the reciprocating cam;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the module of FIG. I; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modification of the structure of FIGS. 1 through 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing there is shown in FIG. 1 a module for a vending machine which module comprises an enclosing casing of any desired size provided with one basic support wall 15 and parallel laterally spaced support columns 16 which are supported in spaced relation from the wall 15 by partitions 17, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 8. The wall 15 and spaced columns 16 support opposite ends of a plurality of pivot shafts 20 which support shelves 21. The shafts 20 extend normal to the wall 15 and through openings in the wall 15 by an extent as illustrated in FIG. 3 which is sufficient to support the tripping mechanism to be hereinafter described;

The shelf 21 is generally rectangular having two depending brackets at one end with holes journalling the shelf for pivotal movement on the shaft 20. A depending eyelet 22 having a slotted opening supports an arm 23 for limited pivotal movement between a first support position and a second position relative to the shelf 21 about a mounting pin 25 at one end of the arm. A

projection or bar 26 is positioned above and adjacent one end of the eyelet 22 and projects laterally from the shelf 21 to extend through the wall 15 above the arm 23 when the arm is in its second position. The structure shown in FIGS. and 6 are common for all of the shelves or some of the shelves are the mirror image of the shelf illustrated depending upon whether the shelves all rotate in a clockwise direction as they drop or whether some shelves drop in a counter-clockwise direction in one column and clockwise in another column.

The wall l5, as most clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a plurality of vertically spaced and aligned openings 30. These openings 30 have a shape corresponding generally to that of the number 7, thus forming a plurality of ledges 31 on the wall which will support the arms 23 when in their first position. The openings have an arcuate shape for the leg of the numeral, which are is formed about the shaft to define cam surfaces which serve to bias the arm 23 to a position to rest on the ledge when the shelves are lifted and to provide a path for the arms 23 and the projections 26 as the shelves fall or pivot on shafts 20. A spring 33 joins the free end of the arm 23 and the shaft 20 biasing the arm 23 in a position toward the shaft 20 to normally retain the arm 23 in the first position on the ledge 31. It will thus be seen that by displacing the arm 23 from the ledge 31 toward its second position as limited by the eyelet 22 the shelf may drop under the weight of the article placed thereon or its own weight to pivot about the shaft 20.

To displace the arm 23 from its support on the ledge 31 is a follower member 35. The follower member 35 is a rod supported on the side of wall 15 opposite the shelf on the extended end of the shaft 20. The follower 35 has a slot 36 formed therein at one end through which extends the shaft 20 and the follower extends normally parallel to the position of the shelf 21 in its article supporting position from said one end in a direction past the opening 30 and above thearm 23.

Means is provided for biasing the follower toward the support arm 23 and comprises a pin at one end of the follower 35 and a spring 41 connected at one end to the pin 38 and at the opposite end to a support pin 42 which supports the end of the follower 35 opposite the end formed with slot 36. The follower is formed with a further pin 44 positioned on the end having the slot 36. The pin 44 is positioned substantially in line with the end of the slot 36 which is closest to a cam surface 39 engageable with the arm 23. The pin 44 is engaged by a retaining means or keeper 45. The keeper 45 is a generally L-shaped lever member formed with a pair of legs 46 and 47 and an enlargement at its apex through which is a hole for receiving the shaft 20 of a shelf. The leg 47 of the keeper 45 is supported above the support arm 23 on the bar 26 of the shelf. In this position the opposite leg 46 is vertically oriented engaging the pin 44 on the follower 35 of the shelf directly above the shelf supporting the keeper 45. The keeper 45 is released upon the shelf supporting the leg 47 of the keeper being tripped by operation of a cam mechanism. Thus, as each shelf is tripped the keeper 45 on that shelf will energize the next vertical follower by the spring 41 thereof pulling the follower toward the cam member.

The operating cam means for affording actuation of a follower 35-to trip a shelf 21 by dislodging the arm 23 from the support ledge 31 is a reciprocating bar supported on vertically spaced pins, permitting reciprocation of the bar between predetermined limits. The bar is formed with a cam means or follower actuating means for each shelf arranged in a column and the bar extends the length of a column. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8 the cam means is a bar 49 or 50 each having slots 51 and 52 therethrough to.

support the bar on pins 54 and 55 projecting outwardly from the wall 15. Each bar 49 or 50 is positioned outwardly from the follower 35 which is positioned outwardly from the keeper 45 with respect to the wall 15. Each bar is formed with an irregular edge defining cam means engageable with a follower 35 for moving the follower in a direction toward the arm 23 to force the arm 23 from the ledge 31.

In the illustrated embodiment, as the keeper 45 permits the spring 41 to urge the follower 35 toward the arm 23, the pin 38 is moved laterally from a position riding in a cutout on the bar 50 to the position where the pin 38 is engaged by the cam means and positively moved upon upward movement of the bar 50 to a tripping position. The cam means on the bars 49 and 50 comprises a notch 56 forming a hook in its sidewall which hook catches the pin 38 in a positive manner camming the pin 38 and follower 35 such that it will pivot about the shaft 20, causingthe cam surface 39 to engage the arm 23 and bias it in a direction toward the bar and off of the ledge 31 such that it could fall through the opening 30 permitting the shelf to pivot about the shaft 20." The bar 50 is provided however with a projecting ledge 57 which will move upward across the opening 30 as the cam 39 dislodges the arm 23 from the ledge 31. The ledge 57 will catch the arm 23 such that it will not permit the shelf to completely drop until the bar 49 or 50 begins its lowering or return movement at the end of the operating cycle.

A cycle for the bar 49 or 50 will be defined as its travel from a lower position resting on the pins 54 and 55 as shown in FIG. 1 toward the uppermost position as shown in FIG. 2 wherein the bar has moved the cam followers 35 to the shelf tripping position and its return to the lower position resting on pins 54 and 55. It will be noted in FIG. 2 that two of the followers 35 are being raised upon the upward movement of the bar 50 and during this movement it is the second or uppermost shelf 21a of this pair which is being tripped as the lower shelves have previously been tripped. It will be seen that the arm 23 associated with the shelf 21a is resting on the ledge 57 of the projection from the bar 50. The keeper has pivoted from an upright position allowing the spring 41 on an upper shelf to pull the pin 38 thereof against the vertical edge of bar such that upon subsequent lowering of the bar 50 this pin 38 can slip into the notch 56a to actuate the upper shelf upon the next cycle of movement of the bar 50.

Vertical movement of the bar 50 is afforded by a force transfer member changing a transverse reciprocating motion into a pivotal movement of a selector and actuating arm which is engageable with the lower portion of the bar 50 to cause'reciprocation of the same as the linear movement afforded by a rod 60 is repeated. Referring now to F165. 1, 2, and 7 there is illustrated the reciprocating rod 60 which is provided with a pair of slots 61 and 62 affording linear reciprocation of the rod 60 relative to a pair of pins 64 and 65. On the rod 60 are a pair of projecting pins or earns 66 and 67 which are spaced along the rod 60 so pin 67 will operate the first bar 49 and the pin 66 will operate the bar 50. The cam 67 operates a selector and actuating arm 70 which is pivotally mounted at one end on a pin 71 and is formed at its other end with an incline cam follower 72 (dotted lines) positioned for engagement by the cam 67. The actuating arm 70 is also provided with a surface or shoulder positioned to engage a projection or pin 75 projecting outward from the bar 49. A similar selector or actuating arm 77 mounted on a pin 78 and having an incline cam follower 79 is pivotal by the cam 66 to engage a shoulder 80 with a projecting pin 81 on the bar 50. Since only one of the bars 49 or 50 will be reciprocated vertically at any period during the operation of the vending machine, it is necessary that one of these selector and actuating arms be moved to an inoperative position such that the incline cam follower 72 or 79 thereof will be positioned out of the path of the respective cam 66 or 67. This positioning of the selector bars is afforded by the column selector and sequencing mechanism to be hereinafter described.

As illustrated in H0. 1, the actuating arm 70 is positioned with the inclined follower 72 in the path of the cam 67. The selector bar 77 is pivoted to a lower position wherein the inclined follower 79 is out of the path of the cam 66. The actuating arm 70 is held in its upper position by a vertically movable timing rod 85 which is formed with a pair of slots and is supported on a pair of pins 86 and 87. At the lower end of the rod 85 is a pin 88 and spaced upward therefrom is a second pin 89. The pin 88 is engaging the lower edge of the actuating rod 70 holding it in the operating position with the inclined follower 72 in the path of the cam 67. The upper end of the rod 85 has a pin 90 which has one end of a spring 91 attached thereto tending to bias the rod to the upper position with the pin 88 engaging the actuating arm 70. The other end of the spring 91 is connected to a pin 92 which is formed on the outer end of an arm 93 secured to the upper vertical leg 46 of the uppermost keeper 45 of the column of shelves. The keeper 415 at the top of the column formed with the arm 93 supports the timing rod 85 in its position until the uppermost shelf in the column has been tripped by the bar 49. As this keeper 45 is tripped the pin 92 falls, thus permitting the rod 85 to move to its lower position moving the pin 89 against the top of the actuating arm 70, dropping the inclined follower 72 out of the path of the cam 67 The upper end of the rod 85 is formed with a recess 95 which is moved from the position shown in FIG. 1 to a lower position, permitting a locking pin 96 to engage the recess 95 preventing a subsequent upward movement of the timing rod 85 until such time as the shelves are reset or returned to their article supporting position.

Turning now to the second timing rod 100 it will be noted that this timing rod is also supported by slots receiving pins projecting from the wall 15 and has on its lower end a pair of pins 101 and 102. The pin 102 is positioned to force theactuating rod 77 to a lower position, moving the-incline 79 out of the path of the cam 66. The timing rod 100 however is biased under the tension in a spring 105 toward an upper position. The spring 105 extends between a pin 107 on a bar 106 20 joined to a keeper 45 on the uppermost end of the lefthand column, which keeper is held in place by the uppermost shelf in that column. When the timing bar 85 is lowered by the lowering of the bar 93 on the righthand column, the locking bar 110 illustrated at the top of the two columns can move on its pins 111 and 112 from a position preventing the upward movement of the timing bar 1110 under the bias of its spring 105. As the bar 93 is lowered upon tripping the uppermost shelf in the righthand column, the tension in the spring 105 lifts the bar 100 causing a recess 114 therein to cam a pin 115 on the locking bar 110 and the locking bar 110 to the left as shown in FIG. 1, thus causing the upward movement of the bar 100 and the upward movement of its lowermost pin 101, and thereby the lifting of the actuating arm 77. When arm 77 is positioned with its inclined follower 79 in the path of the cam 66 the subsequent reciprocation of the rod 60 will afford vertical reciprocatory movement of the bar 50 and sequential actuation of the shelves in the lefthand column. The locking bar 110 thus positively assures the tripping of all of the shelves in one column prior to the tripping of the shelves in the second column.

The rod 60 is also formed with an upper projection which has a series of teeth or ridges and grooves formed on the upper edge thereof. These ridges and grooves engage a locking pawl 121 which is pivotally mounted on the wall 15. Thus, it is necessary that the rod 60 make a full stroke to the left before it can be returned to the right. This assures that once initiated the operating of the actuator rod 60 must continue moving the bar 49 or 50 through a complete cycle prior to return of the rod 60. The rod 60 may be operated by hand, i.e., the operator after placing a coin in the slot of the vending machine to release a stop on a coin accumulator, may operate the rod 60 by a push motion and spring return as by spring 123. Alternatively, operation may be initiated by a pull motion and spring return, the press of a button to actuate a solenoid or rotary motor, or other means for driving the rod 60 through one cycle.

The shelves 211 may be so positioned that the righthand column of shelves may fall in a clockwise direction as illustrated in FIG. 8, and the column of shelves in the lefthand side may fall, not as shown in this figure of the drawing, but in a counterclockwise direction by reversing the form of the shelf making it a mirror image of the present form and the corresponding reversing of the bar 511 such that its upward movement would bias the followers 35 to the left instead of to the right as illustrated in F168. 1 and 2.

The vending machine as shown in FIGS. 1 through 8 is also constructed such that a pin 124 and 125 may be formed on each of the bars 49 and 511 as illustrated and will project from the bar through a slot 126 and 127 respectively, formed in the wall 15. The pins 124 and 125 are so positioned that they will, upon each cycle of the bars, raise the lowermost shelf in the column such that the shelf will be in a position to catch the article sliding from an upper shelf to hold the article on the lowermost shelf between the shelf and the partition 17 or an end wall such that an article which is positioned in a viewing place in the vending machine will be first dispensed prior to this article dropping from the lowermost shelf into a viewing window such that the vending machine may operate in the manner of vending machines which dispense the article seen by the customer to the customer.

The embodiment of the cam means and followers for tripping the shelves illustrated in FIG. 9 is exemplary of another modification which may be made in the module shown in FIGS. 1 to 8. In this embodiment the follower 135 is formed with a slot 137 at the end opposite the end formed with a supporting slot 136 such that it can receive a pin 142 supporting that end. A spring 141 is positioned between a pin 1 12 and a pin 138 on the follower 135 and the follower 135 merely reciprocates between an inoperative position and an actuating position rather than being pivoted about the shaft 20 of the shelf when moving the arm 23 from the ledge 31. As illustrated, a cam means or bar 150 has on one side a series of projections which extend out to cover the opening 30 and correspond to the projections having the ledges 57. The other side ofthe bar 150 is formed with a series of notches defining vertical slots 155 and cam surfaces 156. in the shelf-supporting position the pins 138 are aligned with the slots 155 such that vertical reciprocation of the bar 150 does not cause any movement of the follower 135. After the keeper ofa shelf has been tripped by the lower shelf having been tripped, the spring 1 11 biases the follower 135 to the left as shown in FIG. 9, such'that the pin 138 is moved out of its position in alignment with the slot 155 and is positioned over the cam 156. Thus, upon subsequent movement of the bar 150, the cam 156 will engage the pin 138 driving it to the right and moving the follower such that its cam surface 139 will engage the arm 23 moving it off the ledge 31 to drop the associated shelf to the ledge 57 and then to a vertical position as the bar 150 is lowered, completing the cycle.

The locking bar and sequencing mechanism permits the continued actuation of the mechanism if the shelves in a depleted column are reset and stocked by a service man. Thus, whether the articles on the shelves in the righthand column or the lefthand column are being dispensed first the sequencing mechanism will operate to empty one column and then the other. Servicing is achieved by resetting the shelves and stocking them. It is most prudent however to move older articles from the top of the unemptied column to the bottom of that column after the lower shelves are reset.

Having thus described the present invention with respect to an embodiment illustrated in the drawings and modifications thereof, it is to be understood that further modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as recited in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A module for a vending machine which supports within a said machine a column of articles on shelves arranged in said column, said module comprising a support wall having means defining a plurality of ledges in a column,

a plurality of parallel shafts positioned normal to said wall and arranged in a row,

a shelf pivotally supported on each shaft, each shelf having an arm pivotally connected thereto and extending beyond the edge of the shelf toward said ledges on said wall, and means on the shelf for limiting the pivotal movement of said arm, each arm having a first support position resting on a said ledge for positioning a said shelf in a position to support an article and being movable from said first position to a second position permitting said shelf to pivot on its shaft,

spring means for urging said arms toward said ledges,

follower means movably mounted on each of said shafts for engagement with an arm to move it from said first position toward said second position,

cam means reciprocating in the direction of said row for moving said follower means sequentially from the lower end of said row toward the upper end to move said arms on said shelves sequentially to their second positions, and

keeper means operated upon the movement of each arm from said first position for positioning a follower means on the next shelf in the column in position for operation upon subsequent movement of said cam means.

2. A module according to claim 1 wherein each shelf has a projection which extends from said edge of each shelf in the direction of said arm when said arm is in said second position and said keepr means comprises a lever pivoted on the shaft supporting each shelf, said lever having a first leg positioned to engage a said projection on the shelf and a second leg generally perpendicular to said first leg extending toward and engageable with a follower on the adjacent upper shelf to retain said follower from engagement with the arm and cam means.

3. A module according to claim 1 wherein said follower means comprises a reciprocating rod biased toward said arm and having means engageable by said cam means for moving said rod in a direction to move the arm of a shelf toward said second position.

4. A module according to claim 1 wherein said follower means comprises a reciprocating rod biased toward said arm and having cam means for moving said arm from said first position toward said second position upon pivotal movement thereof.

5. A module according to claim 1 wherein said follower means is a rod slidably mounted at one end on said shaft of an associated shelf and said keeper means is a lever having legs generally normal to each other and mounted at its fulcrum on said shaft.

6. A module according to claim 1 wherein said cam means includes projection forming ledge means for interrupting the movement of said arm when in said second position and for restricting the pivotal movement of a said shelf.

7. A module according to claim 1 wherein said cam means includes pin means for engaging the lower shelf in a column upon each cycle of said reciprocating movement to lift said lower shelf and to thereby restrict the dispensing movement of an article from said column.

8. A module according to claim 1 wherein said module has two rows of shafts and two columns of shelves and said cam means includes a reciprocating bar associated with each row of shelves and mounted for reciprocatory movement in the direction of said rows, and said module includes an actuator means for each of said reciprocating bars, locking bar means connecting said actuators for restricting operation of one actuator means and reciprocation of one reciprocating bar during operation of the other actuator means, and means responsive to the displacement of the upper shelf in a row for releasing said locking bar means to afford actuation of said one actuator means.

9. A module according to claim 8 wherein said actuator means includes pivoted members having means engageable with said reciprocating bars to move them linearly in the direction of said rows, an actuating rod supported for movement in a path the direction of which is normal to said rows, and means on said pivoted members for pivoting said pivoted members upon the reciprocating movement of said actuating rod, said locking bar means having means for moving one of said pivoted members out of the path of said actuating rod and positioning the other in said path.

10. A module according to claim 1 wherein said module has two rows of shafts and two columns of ledges and shelves, said cam means includes a pair of bars with each bar mounted on said support wall for reciprocating movement in the direction of a said row and having means for driving said follower means associated with each shelf in a direction to engage the arm associated with each shelf, said module further comprising:

a pair of pivoted selector arms disposed so one selector arm will actuate one of said pair of reciprocating bars to afford reciprocating movement thereof,

a pair of parallel timing rods mounted for sliding reciprocating movement and associated one with each of said selector arms to place the selector arms in operating position or to restrict operation of the selector arm,

means responsive to the displacement of the upper shelf in each said column for permitting movement of the timing rod associated with a said column to afford movement of the associated selector arm from a position to permit operation of said selector arm to a position to restrict operation of said selector arm, and

locking bar means having pin means for locking one timing rod in a position to restrict operation of the selector arm associated therewith until displacement of the upper shelf in the other column. 

1. A module for a vending machine which supports within a said machine a column of articles on shelves arranged in said column, said module comprising a support wall having means defining a plurality of ledges in a column, a plurality of parallel shafts positioned normal to said wall and arranged in a row, a shelf pivotally supported on each shaft, each shelf having an arm pivotally connected thereto and extending beyond the edge of the shelf toward said ledges on said wall, and means on the shelf for limiting the pivotal movement of said arm, each arm having a first support position resting on a said ledge for positioning a said shelf in a position to support an article and being movable from said first position to a second position permitting said shelf to pivot on its shaft, spring means for urging said arms toward said ledges, follower means movably mounted on each of said shafts for engagement with an arm to move it from said first position toward said second position, cam means reciprocating in the direction of said row for moving said follower means sequentially from the lower end of said row toward the upper end to move said arms on said shelves sequentially to their second positions, and keeper means operated upon the movement of each arm from said first position for positioning a follower means on the next shelf in the column in position for operation upon subsequent movement of said cam means.
 2. A module according to claim 1 wherein each shelf has a projection which extends from said edge of each shelf in the direction of said arm when said arm is in said second position and said keepr means comprises a lever pivoted on the shaft supporting each shelf, said lever having a first leg positioned to engage a said projection on the shelf and a second leg generally perpendicular to said first leg extending toward and engageable with a follower on the adjacent upper shelf to retain said follower from engagement with the arm and cam means.
 3. A module according to claim 1 wherein said follower means comprises a reciprocating rod biased toward said arm and having means engageable by said cam means for moving said rod in a direction to move the arm of a shelf toward said secoNd position.
 4. A module according to claim 1 wherein said follower means comprises a reciprocating rod biased toward said arm and having cam means for moving said arm from said first position toward said second position upon pivotal movement thereof.
 5. A module according to claim 1 wherein said follower means is a rod slidably mounted at one end on said shaft of an associated shelf and said keeper means is a lever having legs generally normal to each other and mounted at its fulcrum on said shaft.
 6. A module according to claim 1 wherein said cam means includes projection forming ledge means for interrupting the movement of said arm when in said second position and for restricting the pivotal movement of a said shelf.
 7. A module according to claim 1 wherein said cam means includes pin means for engaging the lower shelf in a column upon each cycle of said reciprocating movement to lift said lower shelf and to thereby restrict the dispensing movement of an article from said column.
 8. A module according to claim 1 wherein said module has two rows of shafts and two columns of shelves and said cam means includes a reciprocating bar associated with each row of shelves and mounted for reciprocatory movement in the direction of said rows, and said module includes an actuator means for each of said reciprocating bars, locking bar means connecting said actuators for restricting operation of one actuator means and reciprocation of one reciprocating bar during operation of the other actuator means, and means responsive to the displacement of the upper shelf in a row for releasing said locking bar means to afford actuation of said one actuator means.
 9. A module according to claim 8 wherein said actuator means includes pivoted members having means engageable with said reciprocating bars to move them linearly in the direction of said rows, an actuating rod supported for movement in a path the direction of which is normal to said rows, and means on said pivoted members for pivoting said pivoted members upon the reciprocating movement of said actuating rod, said locking bar means having means for moving one of said pivoted members out of the path of said actuating rod and positioning the other in said path.
 10. A module according to claim 1 wherein said module has two rows of shafts and two columns of ledges and shelves, said cam means includes a pair of bars with each bar mounted on said support wall for reciprocating movement in the direction of a said row and having means for driving said follower means associated with each shelf in a direction to engage the arm associated with each shelf, said module further comprising: a pair of pivoted selector arms disposed so one selector arm will actuate one of said pair of reciprocating bars to afford reciprocating movement thereof, a pair of parallel timing rods mounted for sliding reciprocating movement and associated one with each of said selector arms to place the selector arms in operating position or to restrict operation of the selector arm, means responsive to the displacement of the upper shelf in each said column for permitting movement of the timing rod associated with a said column to afford movement of the associated selector arm from a position to permit operation of said selector arm to a position to restrict operation of said selector arm, and locking bar means having pin means for locking one timing rod in a position to restrict operation of the selector arm associated therewith until displacement of the upper shelf in the other column. 